Notes and Editorial Reviews

The release of William Appling’s recordings of the complete piano works of Scott Joplin (1868-1917), comprising all forty-six of Joplin’s rags, waltzes and marches, is the first “complete Joplin” ever recorded by an African-American pianist. These landmark recordings are being released by William Appling Singers & Orchestra (WASO), the acclaimed ensemble founded by Appling in 1979, on the group’s own imprint, WASO Records.

"It is never right to play Ragtime fast." Scott Joplin's famous instruction, printed at the top of most of his publications, has been overlooked by many pianists who take quick, Tin Pan Alley tempos for such favorites as Maple Leaf Rag and The Easy Winners. Listening to William Appling's four-CDRead more set of the complete rags, waltzes, and marches, one should be convinced that the correct speed for most of Joplin's piano music seems to be a moderate walking, if not ambling, pace, and Joplin's subtle harmonies and intricate syncopations are easier to appreciate when the timing is leisurely. Appling came to Joplin by way of rediscovering a student's abandoned copy of the Collected Works edition, and playing through the rags in 2001 gave him the impetus to record not only this impressive collection, but also to work on other Joplin projects, such as a full-scale production of the opera Treemonisha. While numerous collections are available, Appling's set is the first complete recording of Joplin's piano music made by an African-American pianist, and his remarkable two-year project shows his determination to give the music the permanence and respect that it deserves, as well as the proper pacing. - AllMusic GuideRead less

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review: ( 2 Customer Reviews )

music faithful to the musical heart of Scott JoplNovember 2, 2017By Kermit Krueger (Evergreen Park, IL)See All My Reviews"Thank God that some gifted musician, finally, took Joplin at his word, &quot;It is never right to play Ragtime fast.&quot; Of course the implicit joy of the rhythm propels amateur and professional musicians alike to ignore Joplin's oft repeated instructions. I suppose this is but another fact if the legacy of Jim Crow America. Presenting Joplin's works with the reverence given to Beethoven, Brahms, and almost every other classical or serious composer, is a musical wonder. Suddenly Joplin's music reveals not just the joy of life but also the struggles, sorrows of living. The core of Joplin's music is what used to be called the &quot;singing line.&quot; I admit that I have long found it impossible not to at least hum along with Joplin (clearly not for public performance, though). So I was thrilled when I noticed here and there to hear the pianist humming along, too! And to hear or experience the joy of getting a note just right, of the musician and/or the teacher is also to be savored. So thank you, William Appling, for opening the works of an old friend anew!"Report Abuse

Very Different, and Very Beautiful JoplinMay 26, 2017By Jens Melia (North Bergen, NJ)See All My Reviews"This is not your uncles carefree, happy-go-lucky Scott Joplin. No straw hats, no peppermint striped shirts, just deeply moving, thoughtful performances of Joplins great music by pianist William Appling. I admit I was taken aback at first by several things: the close-up, non-concert-hall recording; the minimal pedaling (due to Appling's illness, as explained in the notes); and most particularly the temposconsiderably slower than one is used to hearing. After only about two tracks, however, these issues disappeared into the ether as I realized what Appling had discovered in Joplin and how he was revealing these discoveries to his listeners. What I have learned about Scott Joplin from these beautiful recordings has changed me. Scott Joplin composed truly profound music. Just like all the great masters, his work expresses the full range of human emotion: joy, reflection, sadness, playfulness, bitterness, longing, humor, tenderness, determination, and, most of all, love. Appling clearly understood this and his playing expresses all these emotions and more out throughout the forty-plus pieces. I fear there may be some who will dismiss this recording because of the lack of pedaling or because some performances show a certain amount of effort. As stated in the excellent, extensive program book, the recordings were made when Appling was ill, which would seem to explain why there is not the easy fluidity one would expect on every single piece. For me, however, this couldn't be less of a problem. The music is what matters, and there is nothing but pure music here. Appling's playing actually reminds me of the late work of Horszowski, where he does nothing but go for the meaning of the music, where he is exploring and revealing the truth. You will never hear better performances of the masterpieces Solace, Scott Joplins New Rag, Pleasant Moments, Wall Street Rag, and many others. The difference between Applings performances and those of the others who have played this music, as good as some of them are, could not be clearer. Personally, I will take Applings. I hope people will listen to these recordings closely and carefully and repeatedly, without any distractions. The ones who do will be richly rewarded."Report Abuse